Penryn (45 nm) Processors Support
One of the biggest appeal of P35 boards is the (promised) support for Intel latest 45nm processors. Ideally, you'll just need a BIOS update for these motherboards if you're going to use 45 nm processors. This is the main reason why we waited so long to release this article - to see whether or not this is true. Alas, we couldn't get a sample of a QX9650 to test, so we couldn't tell you whether or not these motherboards will work with Intel's latest and greatest. We did however, take a a look at the supported CPU list on all these vendors' website - you might want to think twice about Penryn support. As of November 4th, 2007, Gigabyte is the only vendor 'confident' enough to claim support for Intel's latest 45nm processor, the QX9650. Even then, its limited to newer (beta) BIOS and on certain motherboards.GA-P35-DQ6(rev. 1.0) F7b
GA-P35T-DQ6(rev. 1.0) F5x
GA-P35T-DS3P(rev. 1.0) F5b
MSI states that QX9650 support for their boards is still 'in testing'. ASUS didn't even list the QX9650 on their supported CPU list (yet). So, if you're in no hurry to upgrade and want full assurance the motherboard you're buying will work with the entire Penryn processor family, we suggest you wait at least until January (when Intel release the rest of the 45 nm processor lineup) and motherboard vendors have time to inro out any BIOS issues. If you're unwilling to wait, the three motherboards above will likely be your best bet, unless you're willing to buy the more expensive X38 and X48 equipped motherboards.
Conclusion:
We always say, picking a motherboard to use for your PC is never easy. There's a lot of factors to consider. Looking at the results, it's clear performance will not be the determining factor for most people. These motherboards offer pretty much the same level of performance - assuming you're using the same setting on all boards. Overall, we are impressed with the P35 chipset. Remember, in our test we overclocked the processor from the default 266 MHz FSB to 400 MHz FSB. None of the boards exhibit problems with this setting in testing. Even a P35 equpped value boards like the MSI P35 Neo are so easy to overclock and rock stable. This is an improvement ot what we saw with motherboards based on P35's predecessor, the P965 Express chipset.With basically indistinguishable difference in performance, what will the deciding factor for you? For the most part, features, price, built and support. By far, MSI P35 Diamond offer a most compelling feature - X-Fi Xtreme Audio card and a SkyTel VoIP card. There's also the ASUS P5K Deluxe with WiFi (or the ASUS P5K3 Deluxe if you hell bent on using DDR3 memory modules). The Gigabyte P35T-DQ6, thoug missing such exotic and excting features, offer more flexible storage options. These boards are no doubt targeted at different users - the digital / multimedia enthusiast, the hardcore gamer or people who need more storage capacity and backup flexibility.
Though commendable efforts all of them, we have some reservations about the use of extravagant cooling solutions on those three motherboards. We have nothing against passive cooling in general, but we'd like to see passive cooling solutions that works well and much more 'focused'.
First of, all three of them (Stackcool, SilentPipe, Circupipe) still relies on exhaust air from the processor's fan / heatsink. Is that a problem? No, if you're using the stock cooler or third party cooling solutions that directly blows air on to the processor (and the surround area on the motherboard). If you look at most third party solutions aimed at performance enthusiast with silent running in mind, you'll see most of them are oriented differently (tall heatsink connected to a base and air is blown sideways through the heatsink - not downward to the processor / motherboard).
These chipset cooling solutions also slightly complicates fan / heatsink installation - even if you're using the stock cooler. Larger, more complicated third party solutions will likely be more troublesome to install. There's also little touches we think could've helped, or small designs decisions that should've been avoided all together.
Then there's also the DDR3 memory support. Sure, it scales well with clock and performance. However, at around US$ 400 to 500 per 2 GB kits, most users will likely think twice before reaching deep into their pockets. You can buy 4 GB of DDR2-1066 modules for about half the price (US$ 250 - 280). Unless you're planning to overclock the FSB extremely high or use asynchronous memory settings, there's no immediate reason to use DDR3 at this time. Thankfully, vendors usually also offer DDR2 versions of the same series (the ASUS P5K Deluxe and Gigabyte P35-DQ6).
Gigabyte P35-DS3P
In the end, our choice for this round up is clear. We recommend the Gigabyte P935-DS3P compared to the other motherboards in this round up. It offers a compelling package for all kinds of users - gamers, overclockers or even the average user. Though it may lack the extra features, it made up for it in price and value. Priced much lower than the DQ6, it still offer pretty much the same features and lacks the extravagant SilentPipe cooling. If you do find the cooling to be inadequate, the money you save can go to much more effective, third party cooling solutions for both the chipset and the processor.
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